Shot in the backwoods of Maine over the course of a year, this film documents the lives and philosophies of two woodsmen - trappers and evokes the harmony between their lifestyles and the natural beauty of their surroundings.

As Europeans began to look seriously towards Maine as a desirable economic region, there were many debates about who owned or controlled the varied and plentiful natural resources, especially timber. In the mid-1800’s, the timber harvest from the communities in the far north woods traveled via the river communities to the prosperous coast where the wealth of natural resources set sail for the world beyond. Today, these distinct regions remain intact, each with a different story to tell about how history has played itself out since that time.

A record of life in and around Presque Isle, made on the occasion of the town’s centennial in 1920. Professionally filmed and titled, the film includes businesses and notable people of the day. Music accompanying the images is from songs of the period compiled by Maine silent film pianist Danny Patt.

Clip excerpted from original films donated to Northeast Historic Film by Charles Gilbert family. This clip shows Hong Kong harbor, Shanghai, and Beijing streets with transportation including human power, camels, bicycles, rickshaws, trolleys, wagons. The film was shot by Charles Gilbert, a Maine businessman traveling with his wife on a world cruise, which he edited together with purchased film of China, probably bought on shipboard. Charles Gilbert graduated from the University of Maine, Orono, in 1894. He worked as an engineer for Great Northern Paper Company until his retirement in 1924. Mr. Gilbert lived in Bangor, Maine, owned a home in Castine, and took several trips around the world.

Clip excerpted from original films donated to Northeast Historic Film by Joan Swan Branch, daughter of Joseph E.C. Swan. The Joan Branch Collection, Accessions 0706 and 0712, is 7400 feet of silent 16mm reversal film shot between 1920 and 1940, primarily in Maine and China. Joan Branch's grandfather, Forrest Colby of Bingham, Maine, was Maine Forest Commissioner. Forrest Colby's daughter, Lena Mary Colby, married Joseph E.C. Swan in Shanghai, China, in 1923. The China footage was shot by Swan's father, Joseph E.C. Swan, between 1928 and 1936. Joseph E.C. Swan (1898-1960) was a founding member of Swan, Culbertson & Fitz, a banking and brokerage firm in the Far East. He was associated with the firm from 1926 to 1936. He lived with his wife and three children in Shanghai. This video clip shows:
1. Views of an American family's driveway from outside a gate, which is opened by a Chinese household servant while another stands by as a large automobile enters. A closer view of the house's front door, arrival of car, and a young girl in summer dress walking up the steps. The girl is Joan Swan, donor of the film.
2. American children and dogs run toward the camera across the lawn at an expatriate home in Shanghai, China.
3. Views of American family at the beach with Chinese amah caring for the children. Row of beach houses.

A collection of five short, silent pieces filmed between 1901-1920 including: DRAWING A LOBSTER POT (1901), the earliest surviving moving image known to have been shot in Maine; TROUT FISHING, RANGELEY LAKES (1905); CANOEING IN MAINE (1906); LOGGING IN MAINE (1906); and THE HOW AND WHY OF SPUDS (1920). With musical accompaniment by Steve Vonderheide.

An event held by an expatriate club in Shanghai, China, in which riders raced over a course through the countryside. Clip excerpted from original films donated to Northeast Historic Film by Joan Swan Branch, daughter of Joseph E.C. Swan. The Joan Branch Collection, Accessions 0706 and 0712, is 7400 feet of silent 16mm reversal film shot between 1920 and 1940, primarily in Maine and China. Joan Branch's grandfather, Forrest Colby of Bingham, Maine, was Maine Forest Commissioner. Forrest Colby's daughter, Lena Mary Colby, married Joseph E.C. Swan in Shanghai, China, in 1923. The China footage was shot by Swan's father, Joseph E.C. Swan, between 1928 and 1936. Joseph E.C. Swan (1898-1960) was a founding member of Swan, Culbertson & Fitz, a banking and brokerage firm in the Far East. He was associated with the firm from 1926 to 1936. He lived with his wife and three children in Shanghai.

Clip excerpted from original films donated to Northeast Historic Film by Joan Swan Branch, daughter of Joseph E.C. Swan. The Joan Branch Collection, Accessions 0706 and 0712, is 7400 feet of silent 16mm reversal film shot between 1920 and 1940, primarily in Maine and China. Joan Branch's grandfather, Forrest Colby of Bingham, Maine, was Maine Forest Commissioner. Forrest Colby's daughter, Lena Mary Colby, married Joseph E.C. Swan in Shanghai, China, in 1923. The China footage was shot by Swan's father, Joseph E.C. Swan, between 1928 and 1936. This clip shows views of The Bund on the Shanghai waterfront with street traffic including cars, rickshaws, trucks, a trolley and pan up a building with a clock tower. Joseph E.C. Swan (1898-1960) was a founding member of Swan, Culbertson & Fitz, a banking and brokerage firm in the Far East. He was associated with the firm from 1926 to 1936. He lived with his wife and three children in Shanghai.